Estimated reading time: 7 minutes
Welcome to my blog, where we explore the incredible ways chiropractic care can elevate your sports performance. As a chiropractor right here in Edmonton, Alberta, I’ve witnessed remarkable transformations in athletes who’ve embraced chiropractic as an essential part of their training regimen. Today, we’ll delve into how chiropractic improves sports performance, offering insights into key areas where athletes can benefit.
Does chiropractic improve sports performance? What the research shows
The research on how chiropractic improves sports performance is limited for the time being. (1) However, there are attributes directly related to sports performance that can be improved with chiropractic care. For example, to perform well as an athlete, you need skill, agility, flexibility, strength, endurance, confidence, speed, balance, coordination, good reaction time, endurance, and good injury recovery. So to keep this post shorter, I’m going to focus on five of these attributes which can be improved with chiropractic care: range of motion and flexibility, strength, balance and coordination, injury prevention, and the ability to recover from injuries quickly.
Chiropractic enhances your range of motion and flexibility
In the world of sports, flexibility and range of motion are paramount. Indeed, athletes who aim to reach their full potential must have bodies that move fluidly. Without a doubt, chiropractic care plays a pivotal role in enhancing these attributes. Our adjustments work to release joint restrictions, allowing for increased mobility and flexibility. As a result, this increased range of motion enables athletes to perform more dynamic movements, ultimately improving their on-field prowess. In essence, chiropractic can improve sports performance by unlocking your body’s full potential.
Read more on how you can improve your flexibility with chiropractic care.
Get stronger with chiropractic care
Strong muscles are the cornerstone of peak athletic performance. Chiropractic care isn’t just about spine alignment; it extends to optimizing nerve and muscle function. Specifically, through targeted adjustments, we can enhance the nerve supply to the muscle to increase muscle strength and function, enabling you to push your limits in training and competition. This active approach to enhancing muscle strength can be a game-changer for athletes looking to outperform their competitors. The message is clear: chiropractic can improve sports performance by building the foundation of strong, resilient muscles.
Read more on how to get stronger with chiropractic care. Or, you can read about how to get stronger legs with chiropractic care.
Chiropractic can improve sports performance by building the foundation of strong, resilient muscles.
Chiropractic improves sports performance by improving your balance and coordination
Balance and coordination are often the differentiating factors in high-stakes sports. Our bodies are intricate systems, and the alignment of your spine plays a vital role in maintaining balance and coordination through a good functioning nervous system. In other words, chiropractic adjustments help ensure that your spine and nervous system are working in harmony, reducing the risk of imbalances that can hinder performance. For example, many elite athletes have harnessed the power of chiropractic to sharpen their balance and coordination, giving them the edge they need to excel. The takeaway here is that chiropractic can actively enhance your balance and coordination, translating to a competitive advantage.
Learn more about how to improve your balance and coordination with chiropractic care.
Chiropractic aids in sports injury prevention
Injuries can be a significant setback for any athlete. The good news is that chiropractic care is a powerful tool in injury prevention. Just by improving your flexibility, muscle strength and balance and coordination, chiropractic care reduces the risk of sports-related injuries. We actively work with athletes to keep their bodies in peak condition, helping them avoid common injuries like sprains, strains, and overuse injuries. Chiropractic care offers a proactive approach to safeguarding your sports career, reinforcing the notion that prevention is better than cure.
Here’s a post I wrote awhile back on how to prevent low back pain with regular chiropractic care.
Chiropractic care offers a proactive approach to safeguarding your sports career, reinforcing the notion that prevention is better than cure.
Chiropractic speeds up sports injury recovery
In the unfortunate event of an injury, chiropractic care can expedite the recovery process. We employ a range of techniques to reduce pain and inflammation, accelerate healing, and restore function. Athletes who incorporate chiropractic into their recovery plans often find themselves back in action faster than they ever thought possible. The active approach to recovery means less downtime and a quicker return to the game. In summary, chiropractic actively helps you recover from sports injuries faster, making it an invaluable asset in your athletic journey.
On a personal note, my first chiropractic adjustment helped me recover very quickly after a low back injury. Let me explain. When I was a teenager, I suffered with acute low back pain playing competitive hockey. Like many people, we sought out the medical profession for help. We were unsatisfied with their approach so my parent’s decided to take me to their “witch doctor”. Yes, their chiropractor. I was out of action for a couple of weeks with this injury. It was even hard to bend over to tie my shoes. However, I remember I was back skating within three days after my first chiropractic treatment. It was miraculous.
Chiropractic improves sports performance for elite athletes
Many well-known athletes have incorporated chiropractic care into their training and recovery routines to enhance their sports performance. Here are some notable athletes who have publicly endorsed and benefited from chiropractic treatments:
“Chiropractic just makes you feel so much better. When I walk out of the clinic, I feel like I’m about three inches taller and everything’s in place. As long as I see the chiropractor, I feel like I’m one step ahead of the game.”
Tom Brady, legendary NFL quarterback
“I don’t always win gold medals, but when I do I always get adjusted first.”
Usain Bolt, the world’s fastest man and Olympic gold medallist
“I don’t know how much I could improve until I started seeing a chiropractor. Since I’ve been in chiropractic, I’ve improved by leaps and bounds both mentally and physically.”
Michael Jordan, epic NBA basketball player
“Bodybuilders and fitness people have been using chiropractic very extensively in order to stay healthy and fit. I found it was better to go to a chiropractor before you get injured. We are a perfect team, the world of fitness and the world of chiropractors. Everyone needs a chiropractor and chiropractic must be seen as required, not an alternative.”
Arnold Schwarzenegger, professional bodybuilder and 7 time Mr. Olympia
“Chiropractic care, with a goal of achieving better postural balance and injury prevention, has been invaluable to my health, performance, and success.”
Jordan Spieth, professional golfer and 2015 Masters and US Open Champion
“Chiropractic gives me the flexibility I need to keep in the game.”
Venus Williams, tennis legend and multiple Grand Slam winner
“I’ve been going to chiropractors for as long as I can remember. It’s as important to my training as practicing my swing.”
Tiger Woods, professional golfer and multiple major PGA champion
“The game of life requires the edge that chiropractic care provides. Most injuries require chiropractic care. It works better for me than anything else.”
Jerry Rice, one of the greatest NFL wide receivers and winner of 3 Superbowls
These athletes represent a diverse range of sports, and their use of chiropractic care underscores its broad applicability and effectiveness in sports performance.
What our athletes say
“Exceptional. My kids (almost 14 & 12.5), who are serious about their sports, were asking to go see Dr. Dean. They love seeing Dean as they always feel better. Today was no exception. Dean spent a lot of time with both – always seems to correct or certainly minimize their problems. Great with kids! Highly recommend Dean for young athletes.”
John L.
“I started going to Dr. Collins a few months ago. I was in pain and hoped he could help. I was very impressed with the thorough examination including x-rays, balance tests and much more to get a full picture of what was going on with my injury and my body as a whole. Since then, my pain has almost disappeared and I am able to run long distances without being laid up for days after. If you want to see someone who is knowledgeable, straight forward and caring, check out Dr. Collins.”
Carrie
Conclusion
In the world of sports, achieving peak performance is a journey filled with challenges. Chiropractic care is the active partner athletes need to reach their goals. From enhancing range of motion and muscle strength to improving balance, preventing injuries, and speeding up recovery, chiropractic actively supports your sports performance journey. The takeaway is crystal clear: chiropractic improves sports performance. Don’t wait; start harnessing its benefits today to reach new heights in your athletic endeavours.
Contact Edmonton chiropractor Dr. Dean Collins for a thorough consult and exam to see how we could help you get an extra competitive edge in your sport. Or book an appointment now!
To learn more about how chiropractic care can help you and your family read Dr. Collins’ comprehensive guide to chiropractic care: Chiropractic Care for Everyone
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